The Oyo State government said it is monitoring the two admitted suspected cases of cholera disease from Lagos state in a private hospital in Ibadan.
Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, issued a statement on Thursday in view of the recent cholera outbreak in Lagos where five persons have been confirmed dead and 60 cases hospitalised.
“You will recall that Governor Seyi Makinde, through the State Ministry of Health, reactivated and established the Public Health Rapid Response Team (PHRRT) and Public Health Emergency Management Committee (PHEMC), respectively, to ensure adequate surveillance activities in order to guarantee the health of the citizens of Oyo State,” Ajetunmobi said.
“This visionary reactivation and establishment displayed by His Excellency paid off through our surveillance team’s quick identification and notification of suspected cases.
“Our State RRT, LGA RRT, and healthcare facilities have been put on red alert in case we have confirmed cases.
“Our surveillance teams are monitoring the suspected cases as we await the results of the stool samples.”
The commissioner also urged the residents of Oyo state to remain united and vigilant as the government is committed to doing everything within its power to prevent any infectious disease outbreak in their communities.
As part of its preparedness and response plan, Ajetunmobi said the Oyo state government has put in place some measures.
He said they have directed their rapid response teams to increase surveillance on any case of gastroenteritis, including other infectious diseases with a potential outbreak.
According to him, the Oyo government has put in place the Cholera Technical Working Group for coordination.
The commissioner added that the state has made provision for medical supplies, including rehydration solutions and antibiotics.
Ajetunmobi stated that they have embarked on public awareness campaigns on the importance of drinking safe water and maintaining proper hygiene practices are ongoing and intensified.
Ajetunmobi also said that enhanced surveillance systems have been put in place to identify and respond to suspected cases as they emerge quickly.
“We are working closely with organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to strengthen our response efforts,” he added.
“Report any suspected cases of cholera to the nearest health facility immediately.”
